Bella Vita Read online

  Bella

  Vita

  Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

  Copyright © 2012 Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

  Cover design by

  Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

  Book design by

  Jesse Kimmel-Freeman

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or

  mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without

  permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who

  may quote short excerpts in a review. For more information, send an email to:

  [email protected]

  All characters, places, and events in this novel are fictitious and though may share

  similarities to any real person, place or event, all similarities are purely

  coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Visit the author's website:

  www.jessekimmelfreeman.com

  DEDICATION

  This one is for Maman, you taught me that

  life is beautiful. I miss you.

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Preview

  About the Author

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Every author has their own mishaps and trials that they've to overcome in writing a novel, for all those that were there during mine- thank you. For my family that deals with me typing away on the keyboard into the late hours. For the fans that ask for more and encourage me every step of the way. And to all the new writers that I've encountered along the way- you're amazing. Thank you, everyone! And a HUGE thank you to my amazing editor, you might not know this, but you truly are a miracle!

  Prologue

  Click.

  Click.

  Click.

  Click.

  The sound of high heels clattering away on the cold cobbled ground echoed in my ears. I'm not wearing heels, why do I hear them? The clicking continued as I walked down a chilled darken alley. Being a vampire took the fear out of the dark, I was glad I was one now. Where am I? It's strange when you don't know where you are, and you feel like you're searching for something. But what? I walked on.

  That was when I saw them. She was taller than me, blonde and thin, and he was tall and tanned. Mike? No, he just makes the world feel like Mike. The inner light clicked on. Werewolf! It wasn't a question at this point. I couldn't see their faces, but I knew she wasn't a wolf, I sent my mental probing out to her- she was a vampire. My thoughts swirled. Why is she with him?

  When I heard her voice, I understood. It was Issy and her boyfriend. My childhood best friend and her werewolf love. But why am I here?

  “Issy, what's going on?” I said out into the frosty night air.

  They didn't respond. It was like I wasn't there. They walked ahead of me and turned down another dark alley. I realized we must be near a secret club or something, people just didn't walk down alleys for the heck of it.

  Her scream pierced the night. I wanted to move faster, but it seemed like my feet were stuck in place. What was wrong? What happened? I really wished my internal dialogue would shut up when things got freaky. I finally made it to the corner.

  The fine hairs that cover my pale body stood at attention right away. Issy was covered in blood- not just any blood, but his blood. Oh crap. I didn't know how I could help. I merely watched as she shrieked over the body of her dead love, covering herself in more and more of his blood. That was not a good idea because werewolf blood makes us ill, but she didn't seem to care.

  I heard the footsteps and wanted to shout to her to run, to get away from him. But I couldn't, I had no voice in this realm or whatever it was. When they came, there were many of them. Their voices grew from concern to anger once they found her. I could see the violence behind their eyes.

  “Run Isabella! Run for you damned life! GET UP, LET HIM GO!” I was shouting to deaf ears.

  I watched her stand with her hands turned out, her face held defeat, and her eyes looked empty.

  “Don't just give up! You didn't do it!” I knew it in my soul that this was not her doing.

  Then the crowd rushed her...

  I woke with a start as usual. Why did I've to have a new dream to destroy my sleep? Dominic was in the room as usual. Apparently, he heard my scream- yet again. I was crying for my friend, but I didn't know what to do. He reached out and held my hand as he wiped away the hot stinging tears.

  Chapter one

  I sat in the dark with Dominic holding me- his attempt to force away my bad dreams, I still hadn't told him that my latest haunting vision was about his twin sister. I also hadn't emailed her. I mean, how do you tell someone something like that? I couldn't.

  Instead I would stop it from happening. Poor Jack. I blinked back the tears and I tried to focus on something else. I let my mind drift back to when I first had the dream- the plane ride over to my new home in Italy. That was a shocker. I thought of how my scream caused quite a commotion. Poor pilots. I shook my head at the memory of it. Dom took it as a sign that I wasn't any better and held me tighter. Dom is so good to me. He was the first in, didn't ask me any questions- only held me, and then quietly handed me a sheet of paper I had fallen asleep reading- Mike's letter. Mike's letter.

  I closed my eyes. I could easily see his distinct scrawl. It seemed as though the words would forever be burned on to the backs of my eyelids.

  Dearest Emma.

  I don't know where you're going, I didn't ask- I couldn't. I knew if I had known I'd find you. I'm sure you think I'm letting you go without even a word, but surely you know me better than that. I'll never really let you go. I love you no matter what happens or who appears. I know I hurt you. Shit! I hurt myself. I don't expect this to make it any better. It will probably make it worse. I don't want it to. I just want you to know the truth.

  My time with you was the best I've ever had. You are a part of me. I mean if it wasn't for you I'd be dead- both inside and in real life. For that I'm forever indebted to you. Even if you won't admit it. I wish I could be around you to pay you back all the joy and happiness you gave me. But I can't turn my back on my responsibilities, just as you can't. I've heard the stories now, as I'm sure you've too, I know you're nothing like the vampires from the old tales- I've seen it in so many of your actions. I just want peace for our people, even if it means...

  If you need me, you'll always be able to find me. Look and you shall see. I know you're leaving, I'm gonna miss ya Em! I don't really know what's next for me. I think my parents want me to attend our kind's school, you probably have to do the same thing. We apparently have a lot of them all over the world. There's one in Ireland. Maybe I'll go end up there with my family and Acacia's.

  I really hope that all of this works out for both of us and we don't end up as the prophecy says. But hey, if we do, we can at least know that we'll be making a better world for what we leave behind. Got to make light of it, right?

  Anyways, I hope you get all you want and that your new life is everything you could want.

  Please take care of yourself. I'll miss you. I'll always love you.

  Goodbye.

  M.

  I blinked away the fresh tears. Evil bastard saying goodbye like that! I hadn't even looked a
t our shared journal, instead it sat on my desk glaring at me.

  “Mia bella. It is all okay. The dream is gone. Maybe if you talked about it you'd feel better.” His words hung around me like a poisonous gas.

  How do I tell you your sister might die? I looked at him with pleading eyes.

  Emma. His mental probe was like a gentle knock on my well-barricaded mind.

  I turned and looked at him. The tears escaped from their prisons and slid down my cheeks.

  His hand felt cool on my cheek. Mia bella, whatever it is- we can deal with it. Surely, it can't be something we can't handle together. He raised his blonde brow at me.

  His words just brought on a fresh round of tears. Maybe I could talk to Grandpa. They should be here within a day. I sent my thoughts to him.

  “That's a wonderful idea Emma! I'm sure your grandfather will be able to help.” He sounded enthusiastic, I really hoped I hadn't hurt him.

  “You know, he'll be your grandpa too. Maybe you should get used to calling him Grandpa.” I smiled up at him bashfully.

  His cheeks blushed a gentle crimson. I leaned toward him and kissed the reddish hue on his beautiful pale skin, I could feel the warmed skin below my cool lips.

  “Sleep now, mia bella. The sun is coming up, it'll keep the dream away.” He kissed the top of my head and then helped me settle back into my bed.

  I snuggled down into my pillow and as he reached the door, I said, “ Thank you. For everything.” And with that he left.

  When I could feel the evening air begin to creep into my stone towerish room, I decided that I should get up. I don't really want to. I felt unsure about all my decisions. What if I didn't want all of this? No dreams, vampires, werewolves, death prophecies- none of it! Maybe I just want to go back to my old life. I knew it wasn't true. I had dreamed of getting out of that town forever. I was different now and nothing I thought could change that. I was just going to have to make the best of it.

  Our academic year started in a week, but before that happened I needed to talk to Grandpa and see Batty Betty. Damn, I love that the vampire seer pretends to be a little nutty, when she understands more than most. I made my decisions- tomorrow I'd see my grandparents, today I'd make plans to see Betty.

  I grabbed the card she'd given me off my nightstand and reached for my private line coffin phone.

  I dialed the number, struggling with dialing European numbers. The line rang twice.

  “Hello.” An oldish woman with no accent answered the phone.

  “Hi, may I please speak to Bettina, please?” I felt nervous and it made my stomach twist into knots.

  “Ah, Emma Hutchinson. I knew you'd call. Please call me Betty, Child.” Her voice slipped back into her native English accent.

  “Hi Betty. How are you doing?” I wasn't sure how to approach the topic.

  “I'm quite well, Child. Now why don't you tell me why you've really called, besides your prophecy, of course.” I was slightly shocked.

  “Well, um, I had, a, dream. I had one before that came true, I'm sure this is the same kind of dream.” I absently rubbed the scar near my neck on my back- it was the slightest raised skin, but the same color of my own. It was also a reminder of my last vision.

  “Ah. I see. You, yourself, are a seer of sorts. I believe it's time for you to come see me. I know your grandparents arrive tomorrow, so I think tomorrow evening you should be on a plane to here. This, however, is a path you must take on your own.” Her voice seemed darker.

  “I understand, Betty. I'll make the arrangements. Thank you.” I didn't know what else to say.

  “Do not fret, all isn't lost. Take care of yourself until you find yourself here. Also, take caution in who you tell about your latest vision. Your grandfather already knows, I'm sure. Be safe, Young One. Goodbye for now.” And she hung up.

  I held the phone in my hand and stared at it. How does she know? If I were in fact a seer then I was nothing like she was. But would I want that? That was a question I couldn't answer.

  I hung up the phone and then dialed the airport. I booked a first-class ticket to England, and tried to figure out what I was going to say to Dominic.

  I took a deep breath. My blanket was so inviting, but I needed to interact with Dom. My plan needed to be planted in his thoughts too. He had to believe I was going to visit a family friend and he had to stay here.

  I rolled off the bed and felt the soft fluff of my thick floor rug. It was tempting to even sink down on the ground and enjoy the comfort of my familiar room instead of starting this process. Stop being an ass. Get up and go see him. I could've growled at myself, but I was right. I found my warm squashy black slippers and pulled on my red terry cloth robe. The static sound of my slippers scuffling along was a calming noise as I walked downstairs. My stomach rumbled loudly when I passed the kitchen. Clearly, I'm a bit on the hungry side.

  Mia bella. His voice was like sweet honey.

  Dom, where are you? I sent back to him.

  In the kitchen, I thought you might be a little famished when you awoke. I could hear his smile as his words floated in my mind.

  “What's cookin' good lookin'?” I asked as I was surrounded by the most delicious smell.

  He handed me a wine glass of blood- clearly the staff had gone home for us to be out in the open like that.

  “Artichokes, green olives, and sweet basil pizza.” His face shone with a slight film of sweat from cooking- he looked quite yummy himself.

  “Sounds good.” I licked my lips after I sipped on my drink.

  I watched as Dom put the last pieces on the pizza. I noticed flour sprinkled lightly across the front of his black tank top- clearly he had leaned against the counter while making the dough. His well-defined arms with their elaborate tattoos shone slightly from the heat of the oven. Man, I love those tattoos. I started to wonder how he got them all- there were so many, surely he couldn't get them all from each place he studied.

  “Dom?” My voice was unsure.

  “What's wrong, mia bella?” He asked as he pushed the raw pizza into the glowing red mouth of the oven.

  “I was, eh, just wondering about your tats.” I had to fight off the urge to touch them- some were raised with intentional scarring.

  “Oh.” He turned, his face flushed with heat. “Well, it all started with my family crest.” He held out his right wrist for me to look at his first tat.

  I ran my finger over the black ink with small intricate red marks. It made me think back to when I'd turned eighteen and dragged Mike to get tattoos- only find out that everything was planned out for both Mike and I get our family markings. I held up my wrist next to his. The family crests were similar, but still different- mine had the black bat directly above it, and it was red verse his black and red.

  He touched the back of my hand and let it linger there.

  “The rest I got during my time that I was studying what all of this meant.” He was tracing a design on the back of my hand.

  “But surely each one isn't from a different location- there are so many.” I knew my face showed the questions brewing inside.

  “Ah, mia bella. So many questions.” He rubbed my worry lines that had appeared on my forehead. “No, each one didn't come from a different location. Think of them as representations of lessons learned.” He kissed my head.

  “Still, that is quite a bit of lessons.” I wanted to understand more about the man that was to be my husband one day- someday soon.

  “Ah, but the lessons were learned at each of the many places I was taught.” I could tell he wasn't ready to confide more about this- which seemed odd because of the topic.

  “Okay, so how about that yummy pizza that is filling my head with hungry thoughts.” I slid down my fangs to emphasize it.

  “Coming right up, my hungry principessa.” He said as he went to get the pizza.

  The rest of the evening was spent eating pizza as we watched old 80s movies in the theater room.

  When I awoke in the morning, I real
ized I had fallen asleep on the overstuffed comfy couch. Dominic was sitting in a red cushy chair, reading an ancient looking leather bound book. The drapes were pulled back just enough to allow a beam of light to shine directly behind him. He looks godlike. He looked up as if he'd heard my thoughts- something that had become impossible unless I allowed it.

  “Good morning, mio angelo della notte. Did you sleep well?” He sounded so hopeful that my new dream had not plagued me.

  “Wonderful.” I lied, “what time is it?” I wanted to know if my grandparents had arrived- I was on a tight schedule .

  “It's about eleven. Your grandparents have just landed at that small airport we landed at. We'll head over in about an hour. How about I get some breakfast together while you get ready?” Dom's smile was like a shining star in a pitch-black night.

  “Sure.” I suddenly felt really nervous about talking to Grandpa about my new dream and going to see Betty. Would he cover for me?

  I went to my room and grabbed my comfy traveling clothes that I could pretend was to be able to help my grandparents unpack. I threw together a bag for a couple of nights- I hadn't booked a return ticket because I wasn't sure how long this would take. I hid it in the bottom of my closet and went to take a shower in my glorious bathroom. I came out fully dressed and found a tray with a cup of Dominic's delicious smelling hot chocolate and a large Italian pastry. I ate it all with guilty pleasure.

  I sat in my room, not wanting to really face this day. Dom came and got me when we needed to leave- he was dressed in attire similar to my own. The drive over to the ferry was quiet, as was the ride over to the main land. I was still trying to decide what to tell Dom to keep him here, when the boat touched the land.